AZT Segment #36 - Grandview Lookout to Moqui Stage Stop

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

Shawn & I plan on hiking AZ Trail Passage #36 - Coconino Rim on July 11-12 with a car camp mid way on FR310 breaking up the distance into 2 days for some moderate hiking. Come hike with us for a day or 2... Very Happy

Location: Grandview Lookout to Moqui Stage Stop
Length: 19.0 miles

We will be hiking from Grandview Lookout to Moqui Stage Stop -- Its all downhill -- from about 7500ft down to 6800 ft or so. Northern segements pass through Ponderosa Pine /Gambel Oaks; Southern section is more scrub and grasslands.

Day1) Coconino Rim Trail: GrandView Lookout Tower to crossing of Forest Road 310 (9.1 miles) The road back to start point is 6.8 miles on FR310 ( so we can camp along FR 310 or at suitably located campground in the area in a nice wooded area - Precise location TBD)
Day 2) Russell Wash Trail: FR 310 to Moqui Stage Station (8.2 miles)We will have figure out car tricks

Camp Location Friday: GrandView Lookout Tower area ( need to be a bit away from the actual area) - We can plan on meeting at the tower and then go find a campsite ...

Directions to TH:
From Tusayan: Turn right on FR302 (0.8 miles pas Grand Canyon Airport Entrance). Follow signs along this road for approximately 16 miles to Grand View Lookout Tower
From Grand Canyon South Entrance: From Entrance Station, drive north 4 miles to a right turn on AZ64. Drive east on AZ64 approximately 8.7 miles where you will see a left turn sign for Grandview point. Continue driving on AZ64 for 2 miles. Turn right on a gravel road. Drive 0.5 miles on this road to Grand Canyon National Forest boundary. There is an old cabin at this point. Continue on this road FR310 for 0.8 miles to GrandView Lookout Tower ( Shortest drive on dirt road but you need a park pass or pay the $25!)
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Hikngrl · Posted: 5/15/2009, 4:18 pm Post subject:

Looks like another opportunity for me to hike!!!!! I'll take it! Hiking

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desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

Quick peek at what the hike will be like!
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Shawn · Posted: 6/13/2009, 7:23 pm Post subject:

Come on layabeds, sign up for this. We need to set up the car tricks!
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wanderingsoul · Joined: 19 Jul 2004 Posts: 2285 Location: Gilbert AZ

Wished I could make this one.... it looks really nice and I'm sure you'lll have a Grand time. I'll be waiting for the trip report and pics.
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oliverr99 · Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Posts: 632 Location: Glendale

Committed to another engagement, darn it! Have fun!
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Suz · Joined: 27 Nov 2005 Posts: 3186

are you cleared of fire issues and closures on this one?

Shawn · Posted: 6/28/2009, 6:18 pm Post subject:

Appears we are good to go, are you coming?

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1696/
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beckett · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 1066

I believe that tibber and I will be coming up on Friday, camping, hiking Saturday, camping, then driving home Sunday. Could you tell us a little more about the trail? We are both slow hikers so we will probably be on our own most of the day. Is the trail clearly marked and easy to follow? Anything else you can share about the trail?
Linda
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Shawn · Posted: 6/28/2009, 8:23 pm Post subject:

I've not done the trail, only know what is on the web. Most of the AZT is pretty obvious on the ground.
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The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

I drove the route this weekend-- Day 1 should be easy. The terrain is very flat ( really) & should be quite shady. There is good camping near the trail head ( Grandview Lookout).

My recommendation : We camp at TH -- catch sunset at Grandview point and then head to camp. Excellent road to TH from within park.
The trail keeps with in 1/4 mile or so of the road. There is parking on FR 310 where AZ trail crosses. We can camp in the vicinity as well ....

Day 2: It will likely be more challenging than Day 1 ( trail follows the wash) - rocky since the road bed was more rough after Russell tank (Road's nice upto Russell Wash & there's a pit toilet at Russell tank). Roads get more rough -- I did make it to Moqui Stage Stop and back out via Red Butte. Some rough roads (ruts) that will get muddy after rains. I think taking 320 in will be best bet -- minimize driving on rougher roads getting to Moqui..( I drove 305B and 319 and these were rather rough n rutted --- nothing I had issues with but after a good rain it will be a mud pit for sure). Significant portions of the trail will be in shade from what I can tell...trail is well signed wherver it crosses the roads and in general roads are well signed as well.

There was no sign of fires in the area or any damage due the recent fire.
I am hoping for no fires and limited rain and a great hike. Full moon is 7th so we should have some good moonlight as well Very Happy

Note: Cars will not do well on Day 2 -- need high clearance
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Shawn · Posted: 6/29/2009, 5:36 am Post subject:

Thanks for the advance-work.
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The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

beckett · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 1066

Thanks for all the info! I did research on the net as well, but am so glad to hear if from you Ambika.
I think our plan sounds like a good one.
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"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out."

-- Walter Winchell, American newspaper commentator

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

Oh- one more thing to note -- It was WARM & HUMID by 2:00 pm so I think we should start early and make the most of the early morning cool and low humidity ...
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Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ